James Hance Neighbour

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

James H. NEIGHBOUR, who enjoys the distinction of having been the first permanent lawyer in Dover, is a descendant of a Holland ancestry. The progenitor of the American branch, Leonard NEIGHBOUR, emigrated in 1740, coming to new Jersey and settling in German Valley, Morris county. The line of descent is through his son Leonard (2), Leonard (3), and David, father of James H., who married Ann HANCE.

James H. NEIGHBOUR was born in Lebanon township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1830. He attended the common schools adjacent to his home, and Lafayette College, from which he graduated in 1848. He prepared for his chosen calling by a course of study at Judge McCARTY’s Law School, Easton, Pennsylvania, and with Hon. Frederick T. FRELINGHUYSEN of Newark, New Jersey, and Hon. A. G. RICHEY, of Trenton, New Jersey, in 1852. He was admitted as an attorney to the Pennsylvania bar at Easton in 1850, and to the New Jersey bar at Trenton in November, 1853, as a counsellor in February, 1869, and is also a special master in chancery, also examiner, and a Supreme Court commissioner. He has practiced in all the courts of the State of New Jersey, and has won high legal attainments, sagacious and forceful, and of decided opinions of strict integrity. He was elected to the first common council of the city of Dover in 1869-70, as recorder, in which capacity he served two terms, later was re-elected to common council for a term of two years, and was city treasurer and city attorney. He was elected to the New Jersey assembly in 1882-83, and during his appointment served as chairman of the judiciary committee for two terms. In addition to his professional duties, he has written extensively concerning the history of Morris county. Mr. NEIGHBOUR married, in June, 1856, Mary L., daughter of Elisha and Eliza (AYRES) WARNE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)